AIPAD – April 2014

The annual AIPAD Photography Show at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City once again brought us a mixture of both the classic and contemporary. And this year, in addition to my usual visit on the Friday afternoon I also attended the Press Previews on Wednesday, and I’m glad I did because there was so much to see and take in, it honestly becomes too much for just the one visit. So what stood out this year? My friend Monica Cipnic and I were particularly taken with the very cinematic and sultry style of husband and wife duo Formento & Formento (he is Hawaiian-born photographer BJ Formento & she is British-born stylist Richeille Formento) at the Robert Klein Galleryfrom Boston. The Formentos’ images were certainly some of our favorites out of all the contemporary photographers on display, and although I had seen their work before… it was even better close up.

Lori & Amy, Lancaster, CA © 2010 FORMENTO & FORMENTO

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Open Show #7 @ the Bronx Documentary Center June 2013

Open Show # 7 © Louisa J. Curtis

On Wednesday, June 5, 2013 I took an intrepid trip all the way uptown to the Bronx to see the Open Show NY One-Year Anniversaryscreening. I admit that I can be a bit lazy sometimes about traveling to an event that is within walking distance (!) but this was well worth the journey, and luckily it was a beautiful evening for everyone to be sitting outside in this amazing city of ours, viewing photography at night. Now, you may remember that I have mentioned the Open Show in my previous newsletters – they are a global network of which Open Show NY is a part, but this was my first time attending. Radhika Chalasani is the lead producer, and we have known one another for a while, so it was good to finally go and support this event. Watch out for future dates, since I might even MC for them at some point! And to see more photos of the event go to the Open Show NY Facebook Page.

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Palm Springs Photo Festival April/May 2013

Where to begin? I mean, it’s one thing to write a report on a one-day visit to a photo festival or an event, but when it’s the Palm Springs Photo Festival which I just attended for the 1st time, that’s a whole week’s worth of writing! I truly had a wonderful time; I viewed a lot of incredible photography, I reviewed a whole bunch of attendees and volunteers, I met lots of new people and spent extended and quality time with some already familiar faces in a much warmer and sunny environment! On the day we all arrived (Sunday), it was the hottest April 28th on record in Palm Springs, as in “ever” reaching a whopping 106 degrees! They said it would be hot, but even the locals had to admit that it was a lot hotter than usual for this time of the year!

Palm Springs Palms © Louisa J. Curtis

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AIPAD April 2013

On Friday, April 5th, 2013 I paid my annual visit to the AIPAD (The Association of International Photography Art Dealers) Photography Show located at the Park Avenue Armory in New York. Although it’s a 4-day event, I generally find myself there on the Friday, not only to view the wonderful photography, but also to run into many of my friends and colleagues in the industry. One of the most noticeable changes this year, and perhaps due to the increase in the number of exhibitors, was that the café was no longer located at the back of the exhibition space. Instead, it was in a separate room near the entrance of the building. Although it was better for the exhibitors, who said they could at least disappear there for a quick break without having to continue to talk to people, from my perspective, I missed having the café near all of the booths, as that is where many of us would congregate for a break and run into one another. By having it located outside of the exhibit hall, the event felt a little more serious and less social. The upside is that I was better able to concentrate on the galleries without being so distracted!

Orphan Girl at the Cemetery, after Delacroix, from the Gordian Puzzles 2008 series, Vik Muniz courtesy of Contemporary Works/Vintage Works

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